WATCH: Chiudinelli plays final match with Federer on hand
The 36-year-old called it a career in Basel.
It was an emotional farewell for Marco Chiudinelli as he played his final match in front of a home crowd inĀ Basel on Monday. The finale would end up being a first-round defeat to Robin Haase.
A familiar face stood out in the supportive crowdāfellow 36-year-old Swiss Roger Federer.
Chiudinelli was a longtime member of theĀ Davis Cup team. He appearedĀ in 18 ties, including inĀ 2014 when Switzerland claimed the country's first and only Davis Cup title. That year, heĀ helped clam a doubles victory in the first round against Serbia.
TheĀ world No. 366-ranked Swiss also played in that winning season's semifinal tie versus Italy.
Other Davis Cup highlights included a seven-hour doubles loss to the Czech RepublicĀ alongside Stan Wawrinka in 2013āthe longest Davis Cup doubles match in history. Chiudinelli also teamed up with his childhood friend Federer a few times.
Outside of Davis Cup action, Chiudinelli reached the final ofĀ Halle with Federer inĀ 2014, but they lost despite holding championship points.
Chiudinelli has reached two other doubles finals and won one career doubles ATP crown (in Gstaad with Michael Lammer).
It was difficult for Chiudinelli to get through singles qualifying tournaments over the years, but he managed to compile a 52-98 singles record with a career-high ofĀ No. 51 in 2010. Since turning pro in 2000, Chiudinelli has won three singles and six doubles ATP Challenger crowns, as well as seven singles and six doubles ITF Futures titles. His best Grand Slam result was reaching the third round of the US Open in 2006 and 2009.
He named his 2009 Basel semifinal loss to Federer as his best memory (having played and lost to him twice in his career).
Chiudinelli remainedĀ an ambassador for Swiss tennis, even though legendary shadows were cast over him by Federer and Wawrinka.
Chiudinelli devoted over three decades of work to live his dream on tour, and emotions ran high when he hugged his box (and Federer)Ā on Monday.
The moment was less a final career loss and more of a celebration.